Marion County, Texas

For counties with a similar name, see Marion County (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Marion, Texas.

Marion County
County
Marion County Courthouse in Jefferson
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 32°48′N94°22′W / 32.8°N 94.36°W / 32.8; -94.36
Country	United States
State	Texas
Founded	1860
Named for	Francis Marion
Seat	Jefferson
Largest city	Jefferson
Area
• Total	420 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Land	381 sq mi (990 km2)
• Water	39 sq mi (100 km2)  9.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,725
• Density	23/sq mi (8.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.co.marion.tx.us

Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 9,725. ^[1] Its county seat is Jefferson. ^[2] Marion County is in East Texas and is named for Francis Marion, the Revolutionary War general from South Carolina who was nicknamed the "Swamp Fox".

History

Native Americans

The indigenous farming Caddoan Mississippian culture has been dated to 200 BCE in the area. The Hernando de Soto expedition of 1541 resulted in violent encounters with Native Americans. Spanish and French missionaries carried endemic diseases: resulting in epidemics of smallpox, measles malaria, and influenza among the Caddo. Eventually, the Caddo were forced to reservations. ^{[3] [4]} Shashidahnee (Timber Hill) is the last known permanent Marion County settlement of the Caddo people. During the 19th century, Shawnee, Delaware, and Kickapoo migrated to the area and settled here. ^[5]

County established

The legislature formed Marion County from Cass County in 1860 and named it for Revolutionary War Swamp Fox Francis Marion. ^[6] Jefferson, named after Thomas Jefferson became the county seat. ^[7]

The majority of the settlers had migrated from other southern states and brought enslaved African Americans with them as workers, or purchased them in slave markets. The county was developed as cotton plantations, and enslaved African Americans made up 51 percent of the population in 1860. In 1861, the white male voters in the county voted unanimously for secession from the Union. The county benefited financially from Confederate government contracts. ^[8]

In February 1869 the river steamboat Mittie Stephens caught fire from a torch basket that ignited a hay stack on board. Sixty-one people died, either from the fire or from being caught in the boat's paddlewheel as they jumped overboard. ^{[9] [10]}

Following the Civil War, the white minority used violence to impose dominance on the freedmen. On October 4, 1869, George Washington Smith, a delegate to the state Constitutional Convention, was murdered by a band of vigilantes while incarcerated in Jefferson. Smith's slaying resulted in the federal government assigning military troops to Jefferson. They offered some protection for the black majority during the Reconstruction era. ^[11]

During Reconstruction, Republican presidential races were supported by the black majority voters in the county. However, with the end of Reconstruction, white conservative Democrats regained control of the state legislature and, in 1898, passed various restrictions on voter registration and voting, including establishing White primaries. Because the Democratic Party dominated the state, its primaries afforded the only true competitive political races. Blacks were unable to vote in these primaries and were thus disenfranchised. Various forms of the white primary survived until 1944 when a US Supreme Court ruling overturned the practice as racially discriminatory and unconstitutional. ^{[12] [13]}

The Marion County brick courthouse was erected in 1914, designed by architect Elmer George Withers. ^[14] In the early 20th century, the Dick Taylor Camp of Confederate veterans erected a monument to honor the county's dead in the American Civil War, placing it outside the courthouse. ^[15]

Caddo Lake State Park was first proposed in 1924. From 1933 to 1937, during the Great Depression, men were hired into the Civilian Conservation Corps and made improvements to the park. The former army barracks and mess hall were converted to log cabins and a recreation hall for park goers. ^[16]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 420 square miles (1,100 km²), of which 381 square miles (990 km²) is land and 39 square miles (100 km²) (9.4%) is water. ^[17]

Major highways

Entering Marion County from Louisiana along State Highway 49

• U.S. Highway 59
  • Interstate 369 is under construction and will follow the current route of U.S. 59 in most places.
• State Highway 43
• State Highway 49
• State Highway 155
• Farm to Market Road 134
• Farm to Market Road 248
• Farm to Market Road 2208
• Farm to Market Road 726
• Farm to Market Road 729
• Farm to Market Road 727
• Farm to Market Road 805
• Farm to Market Road 2683

The TTC-69 component (recommended preferred) of the once-planned Trans-Texas Corridor went through Marion County. ^[18]

Adjacent counties and parish

• Cass County (north)
• Caddo Parish, Louisiana (east)
• Harrison County (south)
• Upshur County (west)
• Morris County (northwest)

Communities

• Corinth
• Jefferson (county seat)
• Pine Harbor
• Warlock

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	3,977		—
1870	8,562		115.3%
1880	10,983		28.3%
1890	10,862		−1.1%
1900	10,754		−1.0%
1910	10,472		−2.6%
1920	10,886		4.0%
1930	10,371		−4.7%
1940	11,457		10.5%
1950	10,172		−11.2%
1960	8,049		−20.9%
1970	8,517		5.8%
1980	10,360		21.6%
1990	9,984		−3.6%
2000	10,941		9.6%
2010	10,546		−3.6%
2020	9,725		−7.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [19] 1850–2010 [20] 2010–2020 [21]

Demographic Profile of Marion County, Texas
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race / Ethnicity	Pop 2010 [22]	Pop 2020 [21]	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	7,564	6,869	71.72%	70.63%
Black or African American alone (NH)	2,319	1,846	21.99%	18.98%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	72	69	0.68%	0.71%
Asian alone (NH)	50	48	0.47%	0.49%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	3	0	0.03%	0.00%
Some Other Race alone (NH)	8	45	0.08%	0.46%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)	202	459	1.92%	4.72%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	328	389	3.11%	4.00%
Total	10,546	9,725	100.00%	100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

According to the 2000 U.S. census, there were 10,941 people, 4,610 households, and 3,120 families residing in the county. ^[23] The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km²). There were 6,384 housing units at an average density of 17 units per square mile (6.6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 72.74% White, 23.91% Black or African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The 2020 United States census reported a population of 9,725. ^[21] Its racial and ethnic makeup in 2020 was 70.63% non-Hispanic white, 18.98% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.46% some other race, 4.72% multiracial, and 4.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,347, and the median income for a family was $32,039. Males had a median income of $30,584 versus $17,885 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,535. About 17.80% of families and 22.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.90% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over. According to the 2020 American Community Survey, the median household income was $39,093. ^[24]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Marion County, Texas ^[25]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	3,470	71.34%	1,339	27.53%	55	1.13%
2016	2,983	70.39%	1,165	27.49%	90	2.12%
2012	2,733	63.83%	1,495	34.91%	54	1.26%
2008	2,567	60.37%	1,644	38.66%	41	0.96%
2004	2,441	56.14%	1,884	43.33%	23	0.53%
2000	2,039	51.88%	1,852	47.12%	39	0.99%
1996	1,260	34.45%	2,028	55.46%	369	10.09%
1992	1,245	29.03%	2,156	50.28%	887	20.69%
1988	1,857	44.97%	2,255	54.61%	17	0.41%
1984	2,336	52.34%	2,111	47.30%	16	0.36%
1980	1,666	44.66%	2,015	54.02%	49	1.31%
1976	1,291	40.76%	1,860	58.73%	16	0.51%
1972	1,680	60.22%	1,106	39.64%	4	0.14%
1968	637	22.32%	1,260	44.15%	957	33.53%
1964	927	40.25%	1,372	59.57%	4	0.17%
1960	742	43.88%	904	53.46%	45	2.66%
1956	1,126	60.93%	709	38.37%	13	0.70%
1952	877	47.43%	970	52.46%	2	0.11%
1948	200	18.48%	703	64.97%	179	16.54%
1944	219	15.86%	1,057	76.54%	105	7.60%
1940	167	11.76%	1,253	88.24%	0	0.00%
1936	129	12.31%	919	87.69%	0	0.00%
1932	84	8.83%	861	90.54%	6	0.63%
1928	443	40.90%	640	59.10%	0	0.00%
1924	347	33.02%	620	58.99%	84	7.99%
1920	392	34.69%	430	38.05%	308	27.26%
1916	166	27.04%	445	72.48%	3	0.49%
1912	85	18.48%	339	73.70%	36	7.83%

See also

• Texas portal

• Museums in East Texas
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Texas
• Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Marion County

References

1. "Marion County, Texas". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "Caddo Timeline". Texas Beyond History. UT-Austin. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
4. "Caddo History". Oklahoma Historical Society. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
5. Teague, Wells (2000). "Where We Came From". Calling Texas Home: A Lively Look at What It Means to Be a Texan. Wildcat Canyon Press. p. 15. ISBN   978-1-885171-38-2.
6. The History of Marion County. Union Historical Company. 1881. pp. 248–249.
7. "Jefferson, Texas". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
8. Atkins, Mark Howard. "Marion County, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
9. Hodge, Larry D (2000). Official Guide to Texas Wildlife Management Areas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Press. p. 133. ISBN   978-1-885696-35-9.
10. McDonald, PhD, Archie P. "The Mittie Stephens Disaster". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
11. Lale, Max S. "Stockade Case". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
12. Greenberg, Sanford N. "White Primary". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
13. Williams, Patrick G. “Suffrage Restriction in Post-Reconstruction Texas: Urban Politics and the Specter of the Commune.” The Journal of Southern History, vol. 68, no. 1, 2002, pp. 31–64. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3069690. Accessed September 7, 2020.
14. "Marion County Courthouse". Texas Escapes. Texas Escapes - Blueprints For Travel, LLC. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
15. "Confederate Monument". Texas Confederate Veterans. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
16. "Caddo Lake State Park". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
17. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
18. TxDoT, TTC Section F, Detailed Maps 1 & 2, 2007-12-28 Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
19. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades". US Census Bureau.
20. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010" (PDF). Texas Almanac. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
21. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Marion County, Texas". United States Census Bureau .
22. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Marion County, Texas". United States Census Bureau .
23. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
24. "2020 ACS Financial Characteristics". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
25. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 26, 2018.

External links

• Marion County government website
• Marion County from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Inventory of the county archives of Texas : Marion County, no. 158, hosted by the Portal to Texas History

32°48′N94°22′W / 32.80°N 94.36°W / 32.80; -94.36